Care Arabia Celebrates Milestones in Childcare Access and Workplace Policies

Amman, Jordan, December 3, 2025 - More than 50 childcare service providers and 18 private sector companies were recognized under the Care Arabia Program, an initiative which was launched in 2024 in Lebanon and Jordan and is spearheaded by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.

Designed to strengthen the childcare ecosystem, Care Arabia helped childcare service providers improve their safety standards, enhance service quality, and strengthen their business and financial skills. It also connected them to employers and financiers, enabling them to reach customers and access financing needed to grow.

The program also supported participating private sector companies by providing technical assistance to develop childcare solutions and family-friendly workplace policies that help parents, particularly women, advance their careers.

IFC partnered with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon; the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j); and the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), who helped share knowledge, connect with companies, and ensure the program’s content was tailored to participants’ needs and challenges. 

IFC also partnered with Jordan Kuwait Bank who developed financing solutions tailored for the needs of childcare service providers. 

“The Government of Jordan values the partnership with the World Bank Group, and its efforts to improve the quality of childcare services and employer-supported childcare in the private sector. This will greatly contribute to better outcomes for early childhood development, and yield better workplaces for women to work,” said Her Excellency Wafa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Social Development.

As a result of the initiative:

• Jordan Kuwait Bank introduced a no-collateral loan product for childcare service providers. Two providers have already been approved for loans, and two others received a total of $10,000 in grants.

• All participating companies implemented new childcare and family-friendly policies and initiatives, including nursery fee reimbursements, flexible working hours, compressed workweeks, and expanded family leave.

• One company signed two agreements with childcare service providers to improve its employees’ access to childcare services.

A World Bank report found that providing safe, reliable childcare solutions can increase women’s participation in the workforce by up to 7.3 percent, helping drive economic growth while enhancing business productivity and competitiveness.

"We aim to create an ecosystem where women are not forced to choose between their families and their careers,” said Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. “This is exactly why we launched Care Arabia, recognizing that when women receive quality support on childcare thrive at work, the ripple effects strengthen businesses and communities alike and fuel economic growth.” 

During the event, five childcare service providers received awards in the following categories: Business Expansion Excellence, Marketing & Digital Impact, Institutional Partnerships Leadership, Father Inclusion & Engagement, and Excellence in Financial Management & Reporting. Two companies - one in Jordan and one in Lebanon - also received a mentorship award to help advance their family-friendly policies.

The program was supported by the World Bank’s Mashreq Gender Facility and is in partnership with the governments of Canada, Norway and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.